Filly sells for $2.2 million at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, KY (Sept. 11, 2013) – The third session of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale saw the continuation of a bullish market headlined by the sale of five seven-figure yearlings, led by the $2.2 million paid for a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and millionaire Take Charge Indy and Will Take Charge, winner of the 2013 Travers (G1).

The amount for the Indian Charlie filly, who is a daughter of four-time Keeneland stakes winner Take Charge Lady, is the highest price paid for a yearling at the September Sale since 2010. During the sale’s first three sessions, held Monday through Wednesday, 13 yearlings have been sold for $1 million or more, the most since 2008 when 18 seven-figure horses were sold.

On Wednesday, 135 yearlings sold for $41,890,000, for an average of $310,296 and a median of $240,000. Keeneland reformatted the September Sale this year, expanding Book 1 to comprise the first four sessions of the sale. As a result, there are no comparable session figures for 2012.

Through the first three sessions, a total of 404 yearlings have brought $111,511,000, for an average of $276,017, and a median of $200,000.

“It was a very good sale from start to finish, from top to bottom,” said Keeneland’s Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “We were hoping to get as many buyers in here as possible to be able to sort through these horses and establish their value. I think every day has accomplished that, and today exceeded that. It was very impressive today.”

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Pope said. “A stellar pedigree, a stellar family. … We’re gonna run in the footsteps of her daddy and her mother, and her brothers. She’ll be a delight to have and something to go along with (Horse of the Year) Havre de Grace and (Grade 1 winner) Plum Pretty (both of whom Pope purchased after their racing careers). After she becomes a famous racehorse, she’ll fit right in.”

Pope said she expected bidding on the filly to reach $2 million.

“She, to me, is the standout of the sale as far as the fillies go,” Pope said. “We tried to buy a couple other fillies and couldn’t get it done. But this one was actually my pick of the sale, so we’re very happy. She’ll have a great home and she’ll have the best of everything. I’m sure whichever trainer that gets her will be a wonderful trainer that will take good care of her.”

Four other yearlings were sold for $1 million or more during the session.

Bringing $1.75 million was a half-sister to champion Speightstown purchased by Borges Torrealba Holdings of Brazil. Goncalo Torrealba signed the ticket for the Tiznow filly out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Silken Cat who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

“She from comes a stallion pedigree family and … we’re trying to build that tradition in Borges Torrealba,” said Torrealba about the operation, which is a partner with Three Chimneys Farm.

The session-topping colt is a half-brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver who brought $1.7 million. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, the colt by Medaglia d’Oro out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger was sold to the partnership of B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm and Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables.

“Very athletic, great mover, super pedigree,” Banke said when asked to describe the colt. “If he makes a couple of graded stakes starts, he’ll be a wonderful, wonderful stud. I’ve had the best Medaglia d’Oro ever (Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra), and he reminded me a little bit of her.”

Stonestreet also got in on the action surrounding the purchase of the $1.55 million Tapit colt, who is a half-brother to undefeated Grade 1 winner Sweet Lulu. Out of the Grade 3 stakes-winning Orientate mare Successful Outlook, he was sold to the partnership of Canadian Nat Rea’s Regis Farms and Stonestreet Stables.

“If he runs on the track, we can stand him,” said Rea’s agent, Richard Hogan. “(He has a) huge pedigree, (is a) half-brother to a Grade 1 winner now. Tapit speaks for himself. Catlike walk, light on his feet, athletic – I thought he was a great colt. The best physical, probably, that I’ve seen in the sale. I think he’s all racehorse and I’m delighted we got him.”

M.V. Magnier spent $1.4 million for a Galileo (IRE) colt who is a half-brother to European champion Mastercraftsman (IRE) and Grade 3 stakes Genuine Devotion (IRE). Peter O’Callaghan’s Woods Edge Farm consigned the colt, who is out of the Black Tie Affair (IRE) mare Starlight Dreams.

“Very nice horse,” Magnier said about the colt. “Very good pedigree. Mastercraftsman is doing extremely well this year. (The yearling is) just the right kind of horse. We’ll bring him back to Ireland.”

The leading buyer for the third consecutive session was Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd., which purchased six horses for $3,025,000.

The session’s leading consignor was Taylor Made Sales Agency, who sold 17 horses for $5,575,000.

Thursday marks the final day of Book 1, with the session starting at noon ET. No sale will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, and the sale will resume at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The September Sale continues through Saturday, Sept. 21, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m.

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